Income Assistance and Disability Increase

BC’s new NDP government says it’s taking action to help people get out of poverty.

Premier John Horgan says they will be increasing income assistance and disability assistance by $100 a month.

Horgan says the hike — which needs 60 days to take effect – will move BC from one of the lowest assistance rates to the third-highest among Canadian provinces.

“Lifting families out of poverty starts with raising income assistance rates and assistance for people with disabilities. We’re raising the rates to support people and help them live in dignity,” says Horgan.

The new monthly rates will be $1,133 for a person receiving disability assistance and $710 for a person on income assistance.